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Testing for post-copulatory selection for major histocompatibility complex genotype in a semi-free-ranging primate
Joanna M Setchell1, Kristin M Abbott, Jean-Paul Gonzalez
1Evolutionary Anthropology Research Group, Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom. joanna.setchell@durham.ac.uk
American Journal of Primatology
|May 17, 2013
Summary
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotype influences mate choice. In mandrills, MHC dissimilar mating increases offspring MHC diversity, but post-copulatory selection was not detected in this study.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Behavioral ecology
- Genetics
Background:
- Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotype is known to influence mate choice.
- MHC-mediated post-copulatory mate choice remains understudied in natural or semi-natural settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate MHC-mediated post-copulatory mate choice in a semi-free-ranging mandrill population.
- To determine if post-copulatory sexual selection favors offspring with diverse MHC haplotypes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized MHC-DRB genotypes from 127 parent-offspring triads in mandrills.
- Correlated offspring MHC heterozygosity with parental MHC dissimilarity.
- Compared parental and offspring haplotypes to detect evidence of selection.
Main Results:
- Offspring MHC heterozygosity positively correlated with parental MHC dissimilarity, indicating efficient MHC diversity increase through dissimilar mating.
- No significant evidence was found for selection favoring heterozygous offspring, dissimilar parental haplotypes, or increased within-haplotype diversity.
Conclusions:
- Comparing parental and offspring haplotypes is a viable method for studying post-copulatory selection when mating is unobserved.
- Detecting small effect sizes for post-copulatory selection on MHC genotype is challenging due to sample size limitations.
